Terrapin
mystery knit-a-long in July 2011; self-published in August 2011: $6 PDF
An argyle-inspired custom-fit hat that can be knit in any weight yarn, with or without buttons, fitted or slouched in back - make yours exactly how you want it, then knit it over and over again, different every time!
The stitch pattern throughout this hat is meant to imitate argyle; twisted stitches form interlocking diamond lines, with stockinette and reverse stockinette mimicking the different colors in a traditional argyle intarsia pattern. Add some increases and decreases to the hat body, and that argyle panel swirls diagonally around your head, along with the seed stitch panels, completing the design.
You'll use the sideways edge cast-on technique for the brim, and some very simple math for the body, to turn your any-weight yarn into your perfectly fitted hat. Choose whether you want buttons or not, and make the body as long as you want - shorter for a fitted hat, longer for a slouchy style.
The twisted stitch patterns are charted, in addition to the full written pattern; the pdf also includes detailed tutorials for twisted stitches, the provisional cast-on, and blocking, and process photos throughout the sections.
The stats:
Size: completely custom fit to any size.
Yarn: enough yarn of any weight for a hat; yardage is dependent on yarn choice and hat style/size - estimates: 160-200 yards (145-180 meters) for an adult size hat in sport weight; 90-110 yards (80-100 meters) for an adult size hat in bulky weight; 120-160 yards (110-145 meters) for an adult size in worsted weight (yardage will also vary depending on your hat fit choice - a big, slouchy hat will take more yarn than a short, fitted hat). Also, blocking is important with this hat, so choose a yarn with fiber content that will block out well.
Needles/Gauge: a 16" circular and a set of double points, plus optional longer circular (24" or longer) will be helpful, in any size to match your yarn, for any gauge.
Techniques used: twisted stitches (photo tutorial included), basic short rows (no wrapping) for the sideways edge construction (photo help included), knitting in the round, for no-buttons version only - crocheted provisional cast-on (photo tutorial included) and grafting (how-to included).
The pdf is 25 pages; you're not meant to print the whole thing (the pages you may want to print have minimal photos).
find more details in the blog post!
and check it out on ravelry!
